Employment issues caused by disruption due to adverse weather

After a mild Christmas, snow fell over much of the UK over the weekend of 4/5 February 2012. Although conditions have improved, the Met Office has issued severe weather warnings and warned that ice will continue to be a hazard on roads and pavements. Public transport may also continue to be affected after disruption to buses, trains and airports over the weekend. 

With the cold weather set to continue for several weeks, XpertHR provides guidance for employers on problems in the workplace caused by disruption due to adverse weather, such as whether or not to pay employees who are not at work because of transport disruption, and what to do if employees use the disruption as an unjustified excuse not to attend work, or to arrive late.  

• Severe weather and disruptions to public transport policy Use this model policy to set out how employees should manage employees who face difficulties attending their place of work and returning home during periods of severe weather or when there are disruptions to transport. 
• How to deal with employment issues caused by severe weather or disruptions to public transport The XpertHR "how to" section provides guidance on dealing with employment issues caused by severe weather or disruptions to public transport. 
• Frequently asked questions The XpertHR FAQs section answers questions on disruptions to public transport, such as:
  • Is an employer required to pay employees who arrive late or do not arrive at all due to disruptions to public transport?
  • If an employer closes its business because disrupted public transport prevents employees from attending work does it have to pay its employees?

Also

Podcast: Weather-related employment issues; key employment law decisions expected in 2010 XpertHR Employment Law Editor Susie Munro discusses weather-related employment issues with podcast host Jeya Thiruchelvam. 

Winter issues: Winter weather FAQs Elizabeth Williamson of Osborne Clarke answers some frequently asked questions about employers' rights and obligations in relation to winter weather conditions. Winter weather can make it difficult for employees to get to work and creates hazards at and around employers' premises. 

Legal Q&A: Public transport delays Andreas White, solicitor at Kingsley Napley, answers questions on staff arriving late or not making it in to work as a result of public transport disruption. 

Good practice: Attendance management This section of the XpertHR good practice manual discusses the management of attendance, including how flexible-working practices can prevent issues such as employees having poor attendance because of public transport problems. 

Line manager briefing on homeworking Line managers might permit employees to work from home when there are major disruptions to public transport. This article looks at how line managers can best address the practical issues associated with homeworking.